However, the period of to saw that number jump to seven per year [source: Inside Science ]. In fact, in there were 12 bites reported, eight of which were major none fatal [source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ].
Still, the United States as a whole averages only one alligator-related fatality per year [source: The Croc Docs ]. From to , the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has received reports of alligator attacks on humans. Twenty-five of those attacks were fatal, and in nine cases it's believed that the victims were deceased before the alligators ate them for dinner [source: Wilderness Medical Society ].
Alligators don't snatch people out of boats. When you see an alligator on the water's edge silently glide into the water and head toward your boat, it can be frightening. But it's not what it seems.
Alligators simply are much more comfortable in water than on land, so when they're startled by a boat while sunning themselves, they instinctively head for the water. If you see an agitated alligator or one near a boat dock or other place they can score a free meal from humans , steer clear [source: Adventure Paddle Tours ]. Alligators won't run you down on the street. But they will sneak up on you in the water.
It latches onto its prey and begins what is known as the death roll. It rolls over and over until its prey is dead, usually by drowning but occasionally from loss of blood. The alligator then juggles the prey around in its mouth so that it can toss it down its throat. The massive jaw that allows it to hang onto its prey so securely also prevents it from easily chewing and swallowing. To eat something large, the alligator must rip pieces from the prey and swallow them separately.
And it doesn't like that task. If you think an alligator is approaching you, run as fast as you can, in a straight line away from the alligator [source: The University of Florida ].
You should be able to easily outrun an alligator. If it seems to be gaining on you, don't panic. Alligators not only have little endurance, but they also don't really care to pursue their prey.
If an alligator misses its first opportunity to grab its victim, it typically moves on to something else. In the water, the alligator has home field advantage; it's got you right where it wants you.
So a water attack is a worst-case scenario. If you feel the alligator's jaw clamp down on you, resist. Don't waste time trying to pry its jaw open, which is nearly impossible.
Instead scream, splash and generally create as much confusion for the alligator as possible. As soon as you can get a clear shot, drive your thumb or fingers directly into its eye.
This is the most sensitive area of the alligator's body, and the combination of pain and surprise should be enough to cause the alligator to release you. Occasionally, a bad-tempered alligator may not give up the fight. As a last ditch effort, you may want to play dead. The alligator releases dead prey as it prepares to maneuver it back into its throat. This can provide you the opportunity to escape. It's a risky plan, however, and if the alligator has you in the water, you should do everything possible to prevent it from going into a death roll.
The words "death roll" don't sound good, do they? It's probably best to avoid a meeting with an alligator altogether. Gators tend to get a bad rap based on crocs' misbehavior. Crocodiles are typically more aggressive than alligators and are a legitimate concern for people who share their habitat. Found in Australia, Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America, crocodiles have a highly effective salt filtering gland that allows them to live in brackish water and saltwater.
The crocodiles of Australia and Africa are particularly well-known for their size, stealth hunting abilities and aggressive temperament. If you're in an area with crocodiles, which can grow to up to 23 feet 6. Crocodiles, like alligators, aren't fast runners, but they're powerful. They can launch themselves out of the water and grasp prey that is at the water's edge. So don't swim, wade or walk along the edge of waters inhabited by these beasts.
Just because alligators have no natural desire to eat us for dinner, doesn't mean we don't need to be cautious in their presence. If you live or are vacationing in alligator country, there are some ways to decrease the likelihood of an unpleasant encounter.
Sadly, many human victims of alligator attacks are small children who are wading or playing in water without adult supervision. Alligators may attack because they're hungry, but that's not the most common reason. As humans continue to encroach on wildlife habitat, reducing the alligator's natural food sources, it's expected that these types of attacks may increase. The main reasons that an alligator attacks a human are because it's protecting its territory, it's nest or it's angry.
An adult male is territorial during mating season, which is early to mid-summer. However, alligators actually have a natural fear of humans and they would rather stay away from people than chase after them. While some are considered "nuisance alligators," these animals often only become so if someone comes too close.
It is recommended to stay 60 feet away from an adult alligator as a precaution. If an alligator hisses, then this is a sign that a person is standing too close. The average human can easily outrun an alligator as it tires quickly. An alligator attack that killed a woman last week in South Florida left many Sunshine State residents spooked. But keep in mind, while an estimated 1.
So are these toothy reptiles as scary as they seem to be? To find out what is fact vs. More: Woman's body found after alligator attack in Davie. More: Woman's body found in Orange County pond; gator attack dismissed.
More: Officers help remove a 9-foot gator from doorstep. Gator Bill: If you run back and forth aka zig-zagging, that will shorten the distance between you and the alligator. Turn around and run as fast as you can. Gator Bill: It depends on the size of the alligator and the situation. An alligator is not usually going to run fast just for the fun of it. The average gator is 7 feet. If an alligator is very large, he may not run faster than the intermediate-size alligator. Young bulls, just coming on the scene, are the most athletic.
They are in the 7- to 8-foot range. The suggested scientific average for land speed is 19 mph. Forty yards is a long way.
Matching him up with a horse for a race is a pretty unlikely comparison. But an alligator has enough speed to get the job done. A horse can run up to 30 mph, so while the race might be interesting, the horse would probably win. More: So Florida! Officer removes small gator from a high school. More: Puppy loses leg, but survives alligator attack on Merritt Island. More: Mutilated alligator found in Rockledge.
0コメント